Why does a 'euphemism treadmill' often lead to the original taboo term becoming re-stigmatized within sociolinguistics?

💡 Explanation

The original taboo term becomes re-stigmatized due to a semantic shift towards dysphemism, because the euphemism, initially used to soften the taboo, gradually associates with the negative connotations it was meant to avoid. Therefore, the original term regains its harshness, rather than remaining neutral or becoming ameliorated as language evolves.

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